FOREWORD

The focus of development efforts has evolved from the building up of simple physical (financial resources and infrastructure) and human (education and technology transfer) capital to the creation of social capital (organizational/institutional development and trust/networks/norms among people). Social capital is a key but hidden factor that can make a critical difference in productivity. The Asian Productivity Organization (APO)’s Integrated Community Development (ICD) Program has been in place since 1996 with the aim of assisting member countries to promote community-based productivity enhanceme ICD Program, a “community” is considered not only to be the object of development but also the most important actor in the process. Given the close human relationships in traditional communities, social capital is often taken for granted. The nature of communities in Asia, however, has been changing due to outmigration from rural to urban areas, aging of rural communities, and diversification of rural production from the agriculture base. Methods for rural community development, including the ICD Program, should therefore be modified to ensure that the role of social capital is not neglected in changing communities.

To analyze the impact of social capital on development performance at the village level during rural transformation, the APO undertook a survey to measure social capital under the ICD Program. In 2004, a regional survey on recent aspects of rural transformation and the accumulation of social capital was undertaken in 10 APO member countries: the Republic of China, India, Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. A follow-up symposium was held in April 2005 to examine the results of the survey and to find ways to improve the community development efforts of member countries by redesigning the APO’s ICD Program.

This publication is a compilation of the summary of the survey results, selected country reports, and the findings of the follow-up symposium. It is hoped that it will make a positive contribution to community development efforts in the Asia-Pacific region.

The APO is grateful to the Government of Japan for its generous financial support for the ICD Program; the Government of the Republic of China, particularly the Council of Agriculture, for hosting the symposium; and the resource persons for their valuable contributions. Special thanks are due to Mr. Shigeki Yokoyama and Dr. Takeshi Sakurai for leading the survey and editing this volume.

Shigeo Takenaka
Secretary-General
Tokyo, September 2006